Thursday, October 22, 2015
At a press conference following their meeting, the two foreign ministers made joint statements and responded to questions from the press. Kotzias expressed Greece’s support for Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen, identifying the Syria crisis, the refugee issue and Balkan co-operation as key areas of bilateral collaboration. On energy issues, Mitov remarked that “the interconnection between Greece and Bulgaria is probably the most important link of the European Energy Union”, stressing that Bulgaria “very much counts on the south gas corridor, on the plans for building LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals here, and on the future construction of the IGB Pipeline (Greece-Bulgaria Gas Interconnector)”.
The President of the Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos received Miton at the presidential mansion, where they discussed the further strengthening of relations between Greece and Bulgaria and their cooperation on the refugee issue. Pavlopoulos stressed the need for the two countries to cooperate in seeking a resolution to the conflict in the Middle East, and particularly in Syria.
The origins of the Greek debt crisis, and the conditions under which the economy might be turned around from its current malaise, are both explored in depth in Greek Endgame: From Austerity to Growth or Grexit (Rowman & Littlefield, Oct 2015), the new book by Nicos Christodoulakis, Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Research Associate at the Hellenic Observatory of London School of Economics, and Former Minister of Finance for Greece (2002-2003).
The book contextualises the crisis in its European, international, and historical settings, analyzing the dilemmas inherent in the bailout strategy followed. The author argues that the Greek debt turned explosive after the 2008 global crisis, spurred by fiscal spree and complacency.
However, the problem of liquidity was intensified by the EU’s unprepared and irresolute response, hence the inevitable and massive bail-out agreement, a high-risk strategy under any name. The stringencies of the ensuing adjustment programme led, predictably, to more recession and unemployment, while social tension and political polarization became entrenched.
However, the problem of liquidity was intensified by the EU’s unprepared and irresolute response, hence the inevitable and massive bail-out agreement, a high-risk strategy under any name. The stringencies of the ensuing adjustment programme led, predictably, to more recession and unemployment, while social tension and political polarization became entrenched.
Making the point that a long-lasting growth and reform agenda has still to be decided on, Christodoulakis proposes key reforms that would allow Greece to return to growth and, at the same time, keep the Euro, an option that remains a cornerstone for the country’s economic and geopolitical stability.
More books from Nicos Christodoulakis: Germany's War Debt to Greece A Burden Unsettled (2014); How Crises Shaped Economic Ideas and Policies Wiser After the Events? (April 2015
This year’s ILGA-Europe Annual Conference takes place in Athens, Greece, 28 - 31 October, featuring many exciting speakers as well as over 40 workshops on a variety of topics related to LGBTI issues.The theme of the conference is "Many voices, One movement - Together, mobilised for a just society", and will address questions focusing on ways forward from being standard bearers of human rights and democratic values to effecting positive change and rallying new allies (preliminary programme)
Confirmed keynote speakers include: Elke Ferner, deputy minister at the German Ministry for Family Affairs, Women and Youth; Randy W. Berry, U.S. State Department’s Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons; Geeta Misra, Executive Director of CREA (a feminist human rights organization based in India); Yorgos Kaminis, Mayor of Athens; and Mike Jackson was a founding member of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) in 1984/5, whose story is told in the 2014 film "Pride".
ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), an international non-governmental umbrella organization for 400 organisations from 45 European countries.This year’s local team of organisers consists of OLKE (Greece’s LGBT Community) in collaboration with SYD (Transgender Association of Greece), Rainbow Families, Colour Youth, Athens Pride, Thessaloniki Pride and Praksis.
"The Sound of Silk"
One of China’s most exceptional Guzheng virtuosos, Chang Jing, together with the talented Xiao (Chinese flute) musician Zhang Di, is coming to Greece for their premiere performance in Athens on October 26, followed by Santorini on October 31.
In their Athens concert, Ancient Greek Lyre band Lyre ‘n’ Rhapsody will be invited to improvise together with the Chinese musicians, while they will record together the first Chinese-Greek music album, to be released in both China and Greece.
This music project will be filmed by Meet Culture and broadcast in China.
The "Magic Flute" at the Greek National Opera
The Magic flute, one of Mozart’s most famous operas, inaugurates the 2015/6 season at the Greek National Opera with eight performances in October and November. The Magic flute is one of the most characteristic operas by Mozart, which works on many levels, bringing great joy to children and adults alike, with symbolic story and wonderful music.
The work will be conducted by George Petrou and Michalis Economou and directed by the distinguished director Arnaud Bernard.
Taiwan Film Festival
The Taipei Representative Office in Greece and the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation will be presenting the Taiwan Film Festival from October 29 to November 1.Cinema fans will have the opportunity to watch three films by young directors – including Chang Po-jui’s "Step Back to Glory" and Vincent Fang’s "Rhythm of the Rain" – which are an example of the contemporary film industry of Taiwan, reflecting the hopes and dreams of the country’s youth.
The films will be screened with English subtitles
"The Universe of Things" Exhibition
The Blender Gallery presents the exhibition "The Universe of Things" by one of the most dynamic artists of the Greek diaspora, Philip Tsiaras. "The Universe of Things" highlights the US-born artist’s ties to Greece and the country’s ancient heritage.
The exhibition opened its doors on October 14 and will run to November 14.
The Acropolis in Lego bricks
Visitors to the Acropolis Museum have the opportunity to admire an impressive Lego Acropolis model exhibited in the premises, until the end of 2015. This model was recently donated to the Acropolis Museum by the University of Sydney’s Nicholson Museum.
The model contains more than 120,000 Lego bricks and took about 300 hours to be built by Ryan McNaught. This reconstruction of the Acropolis has already attracted more than 100,000 visitors at the Nicholson Museum.
